Des Plaines police: Man shot when he tried to run us down
A 44-year-old man who was shot and killed by Des Plaines police over the weekend attempted to run down two officers before they shot him, according to a police statement released Wednesday.
An attorney for the family of Carlos Salgado subpoenaed the Des Plaines Police Department Wednesday morning for all information regarding the shooting, which occurred in a strip mall parking lot Sunday afternoon.
Although Salgado was pronounced dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the underarm area, police conducted a full investigation and said he would have been charged with two counts each of attempted murder, aggravated battery and resisting arrest and one count of possession of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance.
"Those would be the criminal offenses that we believed that were committed by the individual at the time," said Des Plaines police Sgt. Randy Akin, who said it was "procedural" to determine what charges the department would have sought against Salgado.
Salgado pulled the Hyundai Elantra he was driving into the parking lot at 1938 E. Touhy Ave., and a physical confrontation with the two Des Plaines officers ensued before he tried to "run the officers down," according to the statement.
Both officers were injured during the confrontation and were treated at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital before being released Sunday night, according to police.
Des Plaines police Sgt. Michael Holdman said he could not provide further details of the confrontation because of the pending lawsuit.
According to Cook County court records, Salgado has a lengthy record that most recently includes a February arrest on two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month and was due back in court June 4.
Salgado's criminal record also includes multiple convictions on drug and weapons offenses, court records show.
Tracie Salgado, who attorney Gregory E. Kulis said was the common-law wife of Carlos Salgado, filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the two officers involved, claiming they used excessive force and that the shooting was unprovoked.
The lawsuit states Salgado was driving to his home - which was on the 400 block of West Touhy Avenue, according to police - when he was pulled over. Police have not stated the reason for the traffic stop but said he was a known gang member with an extensive criminal history involving weapons and drugs.
Kulis issued the subpoena Wednesday morning requesting all information about the shooting, including the names of the officers involved, witness statements and any squad-car videos that may provide evidence.
Kulis said he expects a response from the police department within a week or two and hopes the information will help sort out what happened at the scene.
Kulis said Tracie and Carlos Salgado had been together for 15 years and have two children together. He said up until recently Tracie had been working while Carlos stayed home to take care of the kids.
"The family is still in shock," Kulis said. "To lose your husband and the father of your children on Mother's Day, they are in shock and just trying to manage at this point."
Both officers have been placed on paid temporary leave as the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force leads the ongoing investigation, according to Des Plaines police.